The Lesser Known Health Benefits of Liposuction

When people think of liposuction, they tend to just think of losing weight. However, there are a number of other health benefits connected with the procedure.

For example, according to Fox News, liposuction can treat lipodemia. Avinash Ramsadeen of Fox News covers this in a recent article titled “Liposuction: A surprising treatment for a painful condition.” Ramsadeen writes, “Lipedema usually arises during puberty and is believed to be genetic, Tursic’s surgeon, Dr. David Amron, a Beverly Hills liposuction surgery specialist, told FoxNews.com. The condition leads to an overgrowth of fat that disproportionately affects a woman’s legs and can be seen in all body types, from thin to overweight… When Tursic was correctly diagnosed with lipedema in March 2012 by a cardiologist in Utah, she learned that the only way to rid herself of this debilitating disease was to remove the diseased fat through a procedure that is commonly considered cosmetic, liposuction. Tursic was turned away by several plastic surgeons because of the difficulty in performing liposuction on the legs. If done incorrectly, the procedure could damage the lymphatic system, which could then lead to lymphedema and make a patient’s symptoms even worse. Tursic turned to Amron after visiting multiple plastic surgeons in Utah, none of which wanted to help her. ‘I was crying and said, ‘You are my last hope! Please do your best,’ she said. Since undergoing surgery in May 2013, Tursic’s life has markedly improved. One day after liposuction on both her legs, she was up on her feet. She can now go to the gym and work out, instead of living on painkillers and signing up from disability like doctors has predicted for her.”

Liposuction can also treat other chronic medical conditions, according to a recent article Helio titled “Liposuction shows utility for multiple systemic lipomatosis, other chronic medical conditions.” According to the article, “According to El-Khatib, the literature review revealed a broad agreement regarding the applicability and efficacy of liposuction for treating multiple systemic lipomatosis, dercum’s disease, chronic lymphedema and axillary hyperhidrosis. With regard to adipose tissue diseases, El-Khatib reported traditional liposuction was shown to be the primary method of treatment. For multiple systemic lipomatosis, the review revealed a study by Bassetto et al., in which ultrasound-assisted liposuction was used with favorable results compared with traditional lipectomy. This was due to a reduction of blood loss and reduction of effort produced by the surgeon.”

Like any surgical procedure, liposuction requires a surgeon you can trust. Rex E. Moulton-Barrett, M.D. is internationally known and acknowledged and holds the rare distinction of being board certified in two distinct surgical specialties, The American Board of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and The American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

With Dr. Moulton-Barrett, there are three different liposuction techniques. They include Laser Assisted Lipo, which is very accurate and uses lasers to burst fat cells before removing them from the body via cannula; Tumescent Lipo, which is when a saline solution mixed with epinephrine and painkiller is injected into the fatty tissues that the surgeon is scheduled to remove. The solution breaks down each fat deposit, making it easier for the surgeon to remove from the body. This can ease pain after surgery and reduce blood loss during the surgery; and Ultrasound Assisted Lipo, which, rather than using lasers or a saline solution to rupture fat cells, liquefies them using ultrasound waves.